Supporting People with Learning Disabilities.
By becoming an After-Support Volunteer, you will have the opportunity to make an incredibly valuable difference for a parent who has undergone the very difficult trauma of losing a child due to child protection concerns.
This role requires you to be sensitive, empathic, and a good listener.
Often parents are left with next to no support following the removal of their children, and the support from a volunteer could mean that they are able to cope far better with the consequences of such a trauma.
The women who complete the WISER course with us can benefit from reflecting on what they have learnt and talking through particular elements of the course if they struggle to retain information.
An After-Support Volunteer would continue working with a parent/woman after they have finished working with our Advocates or our WISER Co-Ordinator. This role is vital and enables us to not lose touch with the parents or women. It allows the relationship that has been developed with them to continue and support to be provided that is in line with either our Advocacy Project or WISER Course.
Depending on the client’s situation an After-Support Volunteer may.
- Catch up once to twice a month with them.
- This could be meeting them for coffee in town once or twice a month to see how they are doing.
- Catching up on the things they have been up to.
- Being a friendly ear to listen to any issues they may be having.
- Reflecting on what they learnt on the WISER course
- Finding out if they need different support that we may be able to help with.
- Signposting them if appropriate
An After-Support Volunteer can also.
- Support the parent with letterbox contact with the adoptive family. This will involve reminding the parent when the letter is due, liaising with the adoption team and supporting the parent to write appropriate content in the letter.
- Support the parents to access services including family planning, domestic violence services, therapeutic services, housing, education, work opportunities and benefits.
Please contact Jo for full details on how to apply, as well as the training we offer: